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“All we know is that Walter was very interested in the locations on the map, and it’s led us here.”

“Everyone wants the medicine,” Volan growls, his lips peeling back to reveal sharp teeth. He casts a frustrated gaze over the room. With his expression, I wouldn’t be surprised if he went on a rampage, destroying all the medical equipment around us. “It’s led to so much pain and suffering over the years. Some just want to save their loved ones… others want the power it provides. It’s why my people hid this lab in the first place. It’s why we limit who gets it and how much.”

“And the other locations, because I can only assume they are labs?” I ask. “Did you hide them too?”

Volan turns and scowls at me, his expression thunderous. “I only know of this one lab.”

The implications are clear and don’t need to be spoken aloud.

Ever since Earth discovered the existence of aliens, in a most dramatic way, war has threatened us. Some humans refuse to accept aliens among us, and there’s a constant threat on the surface from rebel and terrorist groups. Then there are species willing to prey upon us for our resources. We joined the Galactic Federation for safety, only to find that they too have their own villains to contend with. With this medicine, it’ll change everything. No one has this level of healing ability… yet. Super soldiers are a thing. The most elite soldiers use mechanized armor to use any advantage they can get—and that includes protecting them from wounds that could fester in unsanitary and dangerous environments. If they could be healed near instantaneously… If a soldier can just get back up from the point of death and continue fighting… If it really makes someone indestructible… what happens when governments get their hands on something so powerful?

Fear washes through me. War throughout the entire universe might just get that much more violent. Nowhere will be safe, especially if the wrong people get their hands on this near-mythical technology. And who’s to stop the good guys if they decide to use it against us smaller folk?

It’s been a long time since I felt safe.

No, that’s not quite right. I glance up at Volan. He makes me feel safe. After all the pain men have put me through, I didn’t think I could trust any male again, and then Volan proved that belief wrong. In just the space of a few days, he’s broken me down, torn apart all my beliefs and preconceptions, and left them shattered at my feet. And yet, despite feeling so vulnerable and naked in front of him… I don’t feel like he’s going to destroy me. It’s like he’s taken all the bad things from me—the hate, the anger, and pain—and has given me the space to feel good again.

I feel like, with him by my side, I can heal again.

Which is so ironic, given that I’m literally holding some miracle medicine in my hands.

“Walter isn’t just working for himself, Volan. If what I uncovered is true, he’s here on behalf of Earth’s military.” I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold. “I fear that war is coming.”

ChapterTwenty-Two

VOLAN

War is coming.

Maya’s observation and fear strike me hard. How am I supposed to protect my people if war is brought to our doorstep?

My people barely survived the last one.

I gaze down at the small human in my arms. Maya is telling the truth. I believe her explicitly. Also, she’s terrible at hiding secrets—every emotion, every thought she has is projected onto her face.

She can’t return to her people. Even if this is the evidence she needs against this despicable male, Walter… it’s the evidence that will damn my people, my planet, maybe even the galaxy.

I need to take her to my kingdom. I still need to flaunt her in front of my father to gain my rightful place on the throne, but more importantly, I need to warn my people. If we are to expect war, preparations must be made. Warriors need to train, defenses need to be built…

We need to guard the lab. We need to scout out the other locations and protect those too.

We are Sulthari, warriors meant to guide others through hard times. It’s our destiny, our very purpose in life. Our very luminae remind us of the fact daily - that we are meant to be others’ guiding light, especially in the darkest of moments.

Guilt tightens my chest as I stare down at my little halvi. Maya won’t want to come to my kingdom. She expects to return to her own people… She’s given me something truly precious: her trust. Even when she trusts no one else.

I kept saying I wanted to keep her, imagining at the time all the simple carnal pleasures we could enjoy together once we were home, but I never thought about how my decision would impact her. The fate of her entire colony rests in her hands, and I’m taking away her choice and ability to save them. With my actions, I am condemning her people.

Is this the fate of a ruler? Is this why my father is so feared, and why over the years he has become a shell of himself—a male that avoids all connections with others, even his own son? As a prince, I take, take, take. I am just like my own father, and I never realized the parallel until today.

I’ve taken Maya’s hope, her love, her trust… and I’ve taken her free will.

I’ve made her a slave.

I’m no better than the very aliens my people fought against. The very reason my people came to be on this planet. The very reason we now live in darkness.

Maya is my mate.

I need to tell her. She needs to know how I feel. I should tell her everything; who I am, what I need her to do… but the words won’t come forth.